Esta-America.com combed through over 100 online sources to determine which destinations around the world are at the top of people’s bucket lists. With travel slowly returning to normalcy following the pandemic, discover which cities and countries are likely to thrive with tourists once more.
Italy is at the top of the bucket list. The Roman capital is the most popular country to visit, accounting for more than two-thirds of all online mentions (67 percent). There are so many historic steps to retrace in Italy, from the Colosseum in Rome to Mount Vesuvius in Pompeii to the Leaning Tower of Pisa; no wonder Italy is high on dream travel lists – who could turn down its mouth-watering Neapolitan pizza?
The United States comes in second. People have had to wait more than a year for US borders to reopen, which is reflected in more than half (56 percent) of online bucket lists. We see so much of America on television; now is the time to see it for yourself! Explore New York City by climbing the Empire State Building, standing in the shadow of the imposing Statue of Liberty, or basking in the Hollywood sun to see if you can spot the local celebrities. If you prefer the party scene, plan your next adventure in the city that never sleeps – Las Vegas.
The proportion of each country mentioned in an online bucket list
| Country | % of articles mentioned in |
| Italy | 67 |
| United States of America | 56 |
| United Kingdom | 55 |
| Australia | 50 |
| France | 50 |
| Iceland | 48 |
| Japan | 47 |
| China | 46 |
| Greece | 45 |
| Peru | 45 |
The United Kingdom is the third most popular destination on the bucket list, thanks to its rich history. More than 5 in 10 bucket lists (55 percent) include activities related to British culture, such as beach vacations and hikes up rolling hills and mountains. When visiting the United Kingdom, you have a lot of options. What will you do? A lakeside retreat in the Lake District, or a city tour?
Percentage of each City mentioned in an online bucket list
| City | % of articles mentioned in |
| Paris | 45 |
| Venice | 44 |
| New York | 40 |
| London | 32 |
| Tokyo | 31 |
| Rome | 31 |
| Giza | 30 |
| Barcelona | 28 |
| Athens | 19 |
| Cape Town | 19 |
Paris is the most visited city in the world, appearing on more than two-fifths (45%) of bucket lists. You can’t visit Paris without seeing the grand Eiffel Tower, which is known for its exquisite culture and je ne sais quoi. Stop for lunch near Notre Dame and visit the Louvre Museum to see some of the world’s most illustrious art, including the Mona Lisa.
Venice is the second most popular cityscape on more than two-fifths of online bucket lists, thanks to its romance and stunning canal scenes. Furthermore, several historical destinations make the top 10, with Greece’s Athens appearing on 19% of online wish lists – a visit to the ancient Acropolis at sunset is a must. Egyptian fans are eager to finally see the great pyramids of Giza in Egypt (30 percent ).
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